Here''s you''v enever heard before-Did I get ripped off on a pink!?!

[Mrs. Fraz]

I know this is a such a typical newbie thing to ask, but I''m such a cliche'' today...

So I bought an 18k rose gold eternity band (off the internet) that is supposed to contain .26ct of pink diamonds. After months of e-mail and telephone corresponding with the retailer we went for it at $750US. I should have listened to my fathers voice in my head- if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Yup, I am NOT happy with my pastel pink diamonds, they look white in most lights. So I had it appraised by 3 GIA gemologists and they confirmed my suspisions. The best appraisal I got said that possibly 1/3 of the diamonds have a faint pink hue-whoopty doo! My ring isn''t even worth what I payed for it. Now the reputable company I bought it from insists my appraisals are wrong, that I do have pink diamonds, nobody has ever been unhappy with this ring and they have sold it umpteen times. They will not give me my $ back because it was a special order, but they will take it back if I spend another $800 on the comparible Simon G eternity band with pinks. I know the Simon G ring as I have seen it in person, in fact the retailer told me the ring I bought was just like it, but cheaper because it didn''t have the name brand. Now I don''t know if I screwed myself here, or if I was screwed. All I know is that I''m not happy and I need some help. Thanks.

Stephanie

 

[avlis]

who''d you buy it from?

 

[diagem]

Date: 7/24/2007 1:47:31 AM
Author:Mrs. Fraz
I know this is a such a typical newbie thing to ask, but I''m such a cliche'' today...

So I bought an 18k rose gold eternity band (off the internet) that is supposed to contain .26ct of pink diamonds. After months of e-mail and telephone corresponding with the retailer we went for it at $750US. I should have listened to my fathers voice in my head- if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Yup, I am NOT happy with my pastel pink diamonds, they look white in most lights. So I had it appraised by 3 GIA gemologists and they confirmed my suspisions. The best appraisal I got said that possibly 1/3 of the diamonds have a faint pink hue-whoopty doo! My ring isn''t even worth what I payed for it. Now the reputable company I bought it from insists my appraisals are wrong, that I do have pink diamonds, nobody has ever been unhappy with this ring and they have sold it umpteen times. They will not give me my $ back because it was a special order, but they will take it back if I spend another $800 on the comparible Simon G eternity band with pinks. I know the Simon G ring as I have seen it in person, in fact the retailer told me the ring I bought was just like it, but cheaper because it didn''t have the name brand. Now I don''t know if I screwed myself here, or if I was screwed. All I know is that I''m not happy and I need some help. Thanks.

Stephanie

Stef...

Did those three GIA gemologist take the stones out of the (pink gold mounting) ring to claim their opinion on the color of the diamonds?
If no..., I dont see a way for ANY-ONE to be able to say for a fact if these Diamonds are faint pink or....

That does not mean anything in regards to the seller of the ring..., but $750 for a ring like this will NOT get you Fancy Pink Diamonds as far as I know!

 

[denverappraiser]

Stephanie,

The order can’t be all that special if they’ve sold it umpteen times but even with that, this particular ring, with those particular diamonds has only been sold once. Read your sales receipt and the signs in the store for details on their refund policy. You may indeed be screwed and if this is the case I definitely wouldn’t give them any more money to ‘upgrade’. Simon G is a reputable brand but so far I’m not impressed with the stores response to a customer complaint. Even if you appraisals are wrong (which is not out of the question) this is a poorly done response. Did you get the chance to see the diamonds before they were set?

At the price point you’re describing, I would expect the stones to be decidedly light pink in natural untreated diamonds. High or even medium saturation natural pinks would be a bunch more money.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[Mrs. Fraz]

I don''t like to name names so to speak, but I''m very close to blasting it all over this forum if they can''t be more helpful in the near future. I''ll just say they are on 5th Ave. in NYC and I thought that was THE place to buy diamonds. I will keep you posted when I squeal!

 

[Mrs. Fraz]

Date: 7/24/2007 8:43:42 AM
Author: DiaGem

Date: 7/24/2007 1:47:31 AM
Author:Mrs. Fraz
I know this is a such a typical newbie thing to ask, but I''m such a cliche'' today...

So I bought an 18k rose gold eternity band (off the internet) that is supposed to contain .26ct of pink diamonds. After months of e-mail and telephone corresponding with the retailer we went for it at $750US. I should have listened to my fathers voice in my head- if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Yup, I am NOT happy with my pastel pink diamonds, they look white in most lights. So I had it appraised by 3 GIA gemologists and they confirmed my suspisions. The best appraisal I got said that possibly 1/3 of the diamonds have a faint pink hue-whoopty doo! My ring isn''t even worth what I payed for it. Now the reputable company I bought it from insists my appraisals are wrong, that I do have pink diamonds, nobody has ever been unhappy with this ring and they have sold it umpteen times. They will not give me my $ back because it was a special order, but they will take it back if I spend another $800 on the comparible Simon G eternity band with pinks. I know the Simon G ring as I have seen it in person, in fact the retailer told me the ring I bought was just like it, but cheaper because it didn''t have the name brand. Now I don''t know if I screwed myself here, or if I was screwed. All I know is that I''m not happy and I need some help. Thanks.

Stephanie

Stef...

Did those three GIA gemologist take the stones out of the (pink gold mounting) ring to claim their opinion on the color of the diamonds?
If no..., I dont see a way for ANY-ONE to be able to say for a fact if these Diamonds are faint pink or....

That does not mean anything in regards to the seller of the ring..., but $750 for a ring like this will NOT get you Fancy Pink Diamonds as far as I know!

None of the gemologists took out the stones, and I do realize that the color of the mounting can affect the color that the stone appears, whether that''s good or bad for me I don''t know. Having said that I was lead to believe that the stones would be the same color as the Simon G pinks but half the price because it wasn''t name brand, that''s why I bought it. I wasn''t expecting a true fancy pink or fancy intense graded stones, but I DID expect at least fancy light, maybe with a brownish or orangy hue for that price. To look at my ring in daylight the stones look white- and nobody can tell me that I payed for pastel pink and actually got that. So now what do I do if the retailer insists they are pink? Thanks for your help.

 

[Mrs. Fraz]

I agree with you (The order can’t be all that special if they’ve sold it umpteen times but even with that, this particular ring, with those particular diamonds has only been sold once ) and did point this fact out to the retailer. Perhaps my ring is the 1st to accidentally get white stones instead of pink, human error at the manufacturer maybe? I was then told that the appriasal that was shipped with my ring proves it has pink stones. I never recieved an appraisal with my ring! Well they shipped that out ASAP and sure enough it states pink diamonds right on it. So I asked how they could send me that appraisal without even looking at the ring, are they assuming the diamonds are pink because that''s how they are supposed to be? Apparently they did the appraisal before it shipped and forgot to include it.

Whatever happens now I guess I am at their mercy so to speak. I just wish that when I looked at the ring I saw even a faint pink, unfortunatly in daylight they look as white as the rest of my diamonds. I certainly didn''t expect fancy pink, least of all fancy intense or anything, but a fancy light with a brownish hue couldn''t be too much to ask. Or am I wrong again!?

Any idea what that could cost for my type of ring?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Mrs. Fraz]

Date: 7/24/2007 8:47:55 AM
Author: denverappraiser
Stephanie,

The order can’t be all that special if they’ve sold it umpteen times but even with that, this particular ring, with those particular diamonds has only been sold once. Read your sales receipt and the signs in the store for details on their refund policy. You may indeed be screwed and if this is the case I definitely wouldn’t give them any more money to ‘upgrade’. Simon G is a reputable brand but so far I’m not impressed with the stores response to a customer complaint. Even if you appraisals are wrong (which is not out of the question) this is a poorly done response. Did you get the chance to see the diamonds before they were set?

At the price point you’re describing, I would expect the stones to be decidedly light pink in natural untreated diamonds. High or even medium saturation natural pinks would be a bunch more money.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

I agree with you (The order can’t be all that special if they’ve sold it umpteen times but even with that, this particular ring, with those particular diamonds has only been sold once ) and did point this fact out to the retailer. Perhaps my ring is the 1st to accidentally get white stones instead of pink, human error at the manufacturer maybe? I was then told that the appriasal that was shipped with my ring proves it has pink stones. I never recieved an appraisal with my ring! Well they shipped that out ASAP and sure enough it states pink diamonds right on it. So I asked how they could send me that appraisal without even looking at the ring, are they assuming the diamonds are pink because that''s how they are supposed to be? Apparently they did the appraisal before it shipped and forgot to include it.

Whatever happens now I guess I am at their mercy so to speak. I just wish that when I looked at the ring I saw even a faint pink, unfortunatly in daylight they look as white as the rest of my diamonds. I certainly didn''t expect fancy pink, least of all fancy intense or anything, but a fancy light with a brownish hue couldn''t be too much to ask. Or am I wrong again!?

Any idea what that could cost for my type of ring?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Kissmark]

Date: 7/24/2007 10:56:54 PM
Author: Mrs. Fraz
I don''t like to name names so to speak, but I''m very close to blasting it all over this forum if they can''t be more helpful in the near future. I''ll just say they are on 5th Ave. in NYC and I thought that was THE place to buy diamonds. I will keep you posted when I squeal!

Mrs. Fraz I thought you bought it off the internet? or the store has an online store as well?

 

[Mrs. Fraz]

Date: 7/25/2007 12:08:19 AM
Author: Kissmark

Date: 7/24/2007 10:56:54 PM
Author: Mrs. Fraz
I don''t like to name names so to speak, but I''m very close to blasting it all over this forum if they can''t be more helpful in the near future. I''ll just say they are on 5th Ave. in NYC and I thought that was THE place to buy diamonds. I will keep you posted when I squeal!

Mrs. Fraz I thought you bought it off the internet? or the store has an online store as well?

They have a gallery in NYC and an online store. I guess I should have travelled the 2000 miles to look at the ring in person before I bought it!

 

[Mrs. Fraz]

By the way, your kitty is sooooo cute, my husband and I have 2 orange and white ones. We love the markings on the ragdolls, your''s has beautiful markings on the face.

Date: 7/24/2007 8:43:42 AM
Author: DiaGem

Date: 7/24/2007 1:47:31 AM
Author:Mrs. Fraz
I know this is a such a typical newbie thing to ask, but I''m such a cliche'' today...

So I bought an 18k rose gold eternity band (off the internet) that is supposed to contain .26ct of pink diamonds. After months of e-mail and telephone corresponding with the retailer we went for it at $750US. I should have listened to my fathers voice in my head- if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Yup, I am NOT happy with my pastel pink diamonds, they look white in most lights. So I had it appraised by 3 GIA gemologists and they confirmed my suspisions. The best appraisal I got said that possibly 1/3 of the diamonds have a faint pink hue-whoopty doo! My ring isn''t even worth what I payed for it. Now the reputable company I bought it from insists my appraisals are wrong, that I do have pink diamonds, nobody has ever been unhappy with this ring and they have sold it umpteen times. They will not give me my $ back because it was a special order, but they will take it back if I spend another $800 on the comparible Simon G eternity band with pinks. I know the Simon G ring as I have seen it in person, in fact the retailer told me the ring I bought was just like it, but cheaper because it didn''t have the name brand. Now I don''t know if I screwed myself here, or if I was screwed. All I know is that I''m not happy and I need some help. Thanks.

Stephanie

Stef...

Did those three GIA gemologist take the stones out of the (pink gold mounting) ring to claim their opinion on the color of the diamonds?
If no..., I dont see a way for ANY-ONE to be able to say for a fact if these Diamonds are faint pink or....

That does not mean anything in regards to the seller of the ring..., but $750 for a ring like this will NOT get you Fancy Pink Diamonds as far as I know!

 

[Mrs. Fraz]

Date: 7/24/2007 8:43:42 AM
Author: DiaGem

Date: 7/24/2007 1:47:31 AM
Author:Mrs. Fraz
I know this is a such a typical newbie thing to ask, but I''m such a cliche'' today...

So I bought an 18k rose gold eternity band (off the internet) that is supposed to contain .26ct of pink diamonds. After months of e-mail and telephone corresponding with the retailer we went for it at $750US. I should have listened to my fathers voice in my head- if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Yup, I am NOT happy with my pastel pink diamonds, they look white in most lights. So I had it appraised by 3 GIA gemologists and they confirmed my suspisions. The best appraisal I got said that possibly 1/3 of the diamonds have a faint pink hue-whoopty doo! My ring isn''t even worth what I payed for it. Now the reputable company I bought it from insists my appraisals are wrong, that I do have pink diamonds, nobody has ever been unhappy with this ring and they have sold it umpteen times. They will not give me my $ back because it was a special order, but they will take it back if I spend another $800 on the comparible Simon G eternity band with pinks. I know the Simon G ring as I have seen it in person, in fact the retailer told me the ring I bought was just like it, but cheaper because it didn''t have the name brand. Now I don''t know if I screwed myself here, or if I was screwed. All I know is that I''m not happy and I need some help. Thanks.

Stephanie

Stef...

Did those three GIA gemologist take the stones out of the (pink gold mounting) ring to claim their opinion on the color of the diamonds?
If no..., I dont see a way for ANY-ONE to be able to say for a fact if these Diamonds are faint pink or....

That does not mean anything in regards to the seller of the ring..., but $750 for a ring like this will NOT get you Fancy Pink Diamonds as far as I know!

oops, I think I got someone elses'' cat mixed up in what I thought were your pictures, my bad!

 

[diagem]

Date: 7/24/2007 11:35:48 PM
Author: Mrs. Fraz

None of the gemologists took out the stones, and I do realize that the color of the mounting can affect the color that the stone appears, whether that''s good or bad for me I don''t know. Having said that I was lead to believe that the stones would be the same color as the Simon G pinks but half the price because it wasn''t name brand, that''s why I bought it. I wasn''t expecting a true fancy pink or fancy intense graded stones, but I DID expect at least fancy light, maybe with a brownish or orangy hue for that price. To look at my ring in daylight the stones look white- and nobody can tell me that I payed for pastel pink and actually got that. So now what do I do if the retailer insists they are pink? Thanks for your help.

The difference between a faint pink and fancy light pink is so delicate that most professionals I know would not be able to tell a difference... (especially in these small sizes!!!)

Faint pinks are many times equaled to colorless Diamonds when calculated for value...

 

[DBM]

been taking pics of colored diamonds now for awhile and can tell you that pink diamonds are the hardest to see face-up in a diamond IMHO. particularly on small sizes such as your ring. I''m talking about GIA certified Fancy Light Pinks. it''s just that difficult. If the band had the type of stones necessary to be able to clearly see pink in them i woudn''t be surprised if the band was going for upwards of 5-6k if not more.

 

[Mrs. Fraz]

I checked out your attached website and I must say your job does look daunting taking the photos of those pink diamonds. A couple of them didn''t look like they had much color at all, so maybe my expetations are just a little high, thanks for the reality check!

Date: 7/25/2007 1:55:57 AM
Author: DBM
been taking pics of colored diamonds now for awhile and can tell you that pink diamonds are the hardest to see face-up in a diamond IMHO. particularly on small sizes such as your ring. I''m talking about GIA certified Fancy Light Pinks. it''s just that difficult. If the band had the type of stones necessary to be able to clearly see pink in them i woudn''t be surprised if the band was going for upwards of 5-6k if not more.

 

[Mrs. Fraz]

I guess this conundrum I''m in is not cut and dry like I had hoped it would be, I appreciate you taking the time to inform me on this. I suppose I may just have to be happy with my sometimes pinkish sometimes white diamond ring.

Date: 7/25/2007 1:05:32 AM
Author: DiaGem

Date: 7/24/2007 11:35:48 PM
Author: Mrs. Fraz

None of the gemologists took out the stones, and I do realize that the color of the mounting can affect the color that the stone appears, whether that''s good or bad for me I don''t know. Having said that I was lead to believe that the stones would be the same color as the Simon G pinks but half the price because it wasn''t name brand, that''s why I bought it. I wasn''t expecting a true fancy pink or fancy intense graded stones, but I DID expect at least fancy light, maybe with a brownish or orangy hue for that price. To look at my ring in daylight the stones look white- and nobody can tell me that I payed for pastel pink and actually got that. So now what do I do if the retailer insists they are pink? Thanks for your help.

The difference between a faint pink and fancy light pink is so delicate that most professionals I know would not be able to tell a difference... (especially in these small sizes!!!)

Faint pinks are many times equaled to colorless Diamonds when calculated for value...

 

[MaryAlaina]

Based on the picture you used and the price quoted, I believe I know the vendor you purchased this from, as I bought the same ring, except I had them make it in a half eternity ring. The stones ARE pink, but of course they are light pink. I have seen white diamonds in pink gold, and you can definitely tell they are white ALL the time. If you look at the pink diamonds in this ring, it is hard to tell exactly what color they are, but if you compare to a pink gold ring set with white diamonds, you will see the difference.

I LOVE my ring. I think it looks especially beautiful stacked with platinum and white diamond bands. You can really see the color difference then.

I think you got a beautiful ring at a great price.

 

[Mrs. Fraz]

Date: 7/26/2007 1:27:26 AM
Author: MaryAlaina
Based on the picture you used and the price quoted, I believe I know the vendor you purchased this from, as I bought the same ring, except I had them make it in a half eternity ring. The stones ARE pink, but of course they are light pink. I have seen white diamonds in pink gold, and you can definitely tell they are white ALL the time. If you look at the pink diamonds in this ring, it is hard to tell exactly what color they are, but if you compare to a pink gold ring set with white diamonds, you will see the difference.

I LOVE my ring. I think it looks especially beautiful stacked with platinum and white diamond bands. You can really see the color difference then.

I think you got a beautiful ring at a great price.

You know MaryA, I am starting to love my ring actually! I stopped wearing it because I was going to send it back and it was then that I realized I missed it and really liked it with my e-ring. I also agree with you that you can see a difference with white diamonds in a rose gold setting from our ring. Not to mention it sure sparkles like crazy as the diamonds are of good cut and clarity. We sure are smart cookies getting this band hey?!

Thanks for your input.

S.